The United States has continued to be a country where religion plays a major role in the lives of American citizens. Depending on the type of school students attend, organized prayer is mandatory, allowed, or banned. In the United States, organized prayer in public schools is prohibited because it goes against the Constitution’s separation of church and state (Jinkins 123). The United States promises religious freedom, but is yet to define the degree and limitation of that liberty. However, American citizens have been debating for many years, whether organized prayer should be an option or obligation in public schools. Some people believe that organized prayer or religious classes would be a benefit to young people and should be allowed in American public schools. Others: however, see this as an affront to the First Amendment and believe that religion does not belong in the classroom, and should never be permitted under any circumstances. Supporters of organized prayer believe the school day should not just revolve around training the student’s mind academically, but also spiritually. “Far more than the mere teaching of facts, true education concerns itself with establishing beliefs and values” (Salter 176). Many supporting citizens of organized prayer believe religion can help better a student by their educational potentials, level of education achieved, and attendance. Students who are raised under religious families will have a stronger attitude towards school. Parents who raise their children with a religious foundation want public schools to reinforce and model moral values taught at home (Haynes and Berkowitz 144). Having organized prayer allows religion to set morals and instruct discipline giving students a stronger ou... ... middle of paper ... ...es Should Not Be Offered in Public Schools.” Opposing Viewpoints: Religion in America. Eds. David Haugen and Susan Musser. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2009. 123-127. Print. Meacham, Jon. “Politics and Religion Should Be Separate.” Opposing Viewpoints: Religion in America. Eds. David Haugen and Susan Musser. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2009. 101-105. Print. Murray, William J. Let Us Pray: A Plea for Prayer in Our Schools. New York: New York, 1995. Print. Rose, Mike. “Public Education is Not Failing.” Opposing Viewpoints: Education. Eds. David Haugen and Susan Musser. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2009. 34-40. Print. Salter, Guenter E. “A Christian Liberal Arts Education Provides a Moral Education.” Opposing Viewpoints: Education. Eds. David Haugen and Susan Musser. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2009. 176-189. Print.
Per Regnerus et al, professors who hold reputable positions at accredited teaching institutions, studies “display strong evidence that public schools now lag behind Catholic schools in the average educational achievement of their students, most poignantly in cities and low-income neighborhoods” (16). Although this study pertained mostly to a specific type of school- Catholic school- similar results can be achieved by requiring a child to take at least one religion-specific class. Similarly, another study expressed the impact of religion on academic achievement: “Individuals with no religious affiliation reported the fewest years of education and were also likely to have the least religious socialization. Not being affiliated with a church resulted in a detrimental impact on educational achievement” (Brown & Gary 422). Without some form of religious impact on an individual’s life, one experienced low academic achievement. Religion should being an integral of public education and should be a requirement of all students; however, an array of different religious courses should be offered so that one is not forced to learn something they have no interest
The intercom comes on in a classroom first thing in morning and says “now kids, it is time for our prayer”. Every kid in the class joins hands and starts to respectfully pray. Once the prayer is finished, they all go back to work and are more unified together, right? That is usually not the case. More likely than not, only several kids in the class joins the prayer. Most kids then laugh at the others praying, breaking the bonds between the two. With religion being brought up in school, there are more possibilities for debate between children ending in violence. Three fourths of kids at my high school will not even recite the pledge of allegiance just because it says god in it. Public schools should not have any impact on religion. Christian Groups are sneaking religion into high schools.
Mueller, Arnold C. "Religion in the Public Schools." In Church and State Under God, ed. Albert G. Huegli. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2004.
This paper was written for my Writing 209 class. For the assignment ,Donna Marsh, asked us to find an article in a periodical that dealt with an issue in our American culture. We were then told to express our opinion on the topic discussed in the article and to analyze the argument presented in the article. I chose the topic of school prayer because I believe strongly in the separation of church and state that exists in our country. This is a controversial issue that is worthy of discussion, and hopefully my essay will provoke you in some manner whether you agree with my premise or feel that the views I express are totally invalid.
* Longley, Robert. "Public Schools Don't Have a Prayer." U.S. Gov Info/Resources n.d. 15 Nov. 2001 .
...iberties. Ed. Noël Merino. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2013. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Government Neutrality Is Not 'Anti-Religion'." Psychology Today (3 Oct. 2011). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.
Amundson, Kristen J. Religion in the Public Schools. Arlington: American Association of School Administrators, c1986
Since teaching religion in a public schools has been banned, parents may opt for a private school with a religious component. Catholic, Jewish, and Christian schools can embrace faith-based education in their curriculum, and other activities. “Academic religion promotes “personal character”, and “love of learning” (William 86). Many private schools go beyond academics, and require daily attendance at a chapel, synagogue, or temple. Students of non-religious families also attend religious schools. For example, the number of non-Catholic students attending Catholic schools. Freedom of school choice is wider than it ever was. A factor that plays a large role in parents deciding whether to send their children to public, or private school is whether, or not they want religious, and or moral instruction to play a part of their children’s academic environment. Religion in education is such a controversial topic by itself that it might take a long discussion to develop the topic. There are many strong arguments for this matter. “The government takes an appropriate approach to religion in education” (Attack on Public schools). The government allows for freedom of expression in schools yet, they are preventing the teachers from influencing the students with their religious beliefs. This topic really demonstrates the fact that everyone is different, which causes people to
"God help, I'm so lost!" If you listen carefully, this is a common thought that is heard throughout many schools in the nation. Is this thought appropriate? The following statement clearly shows that the law allows students and adults to practice religion, but at the same time be respective of others and their beliefs even if they do believe or if they don't. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, or to petition the government for a redress of grievances." (First Amendment, The Constitution of the United States). Prayer is not normally permitted as a scheduled part of classroom activities, because it would result in the violation of the principle of church-state separation, which has been defined by court interpretations of the 1st Amendment to the U.S, Constitution. The separation principle is extended to Public school as an arm of the government, with an exception which can be permitted if, during the school year, a mixture of prayers, statements, etc are delivered, using material derived from a number of different religions and secular sources. So far, this has never been tried in a school or ruled upon by a court (Religion in Public).
There are many different philosophies regarding prayer in public school. It seems to be a difficult issue to decide upon. The opinions are wide-ranging and convoluted. This paper will attempt to highlight the many ideas and opinions as to whether prayers in public school should be allowed and to what extent. It will further show how our founders' idea of a separate church and state has been taken out of context and why prayer in school should be allowed, but not required.
This paper deals with the stance of our schools and government on prayer in school. In this paper I will show how our government is hypocritical in its dealings of the prayer in school issue and how some of us as citizens are hypocritical as well. I will discuss the freedom of religion rights and how its interpretation affects prayer in school. Also, I will address the popular phrase, “separation of church and state”, that is often used to argue against prayer in school.
The choice of prayer should be given to each and every person, just as the choice of religion is given to them. The ability to perform their own religious activities, as long as they are not disruptive, should not be stripped from the schools. In fact, the Supreme Court did not ban prayer or religion from public schools. It only restricted the ability of government officials to invoke government-initiated worship. Public school students have the right to pray on their own time, so it should not be frowned
The First Amendment of the U.S Constitution states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for the redress of grievances" (Greenberg). This first amendment protects both believers and nonbelievers from government interference in their decision to pray. Students have the right to pray and read the Bible in public schools. Yet the educators and administrators who facilitate our schools cannot lead children in prayer or force them to pray. The constitution also prohibits the following: requiring students to recite prayers in class, saying public prayer at high school games and teachers and co...
Schneider, Mary Beth. "INDIANAPOLIS senator's bill seeks Lord's Prayer in schools." USA TODAY. (2013): n. page. Web. 2013.
Gaylor, Annie Laurie. The Case Against School Prayer. “Keep the Church and State Forever Separate.” Madison, Wisconsin: Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc., 1995. ( www.ffrf.org/pray.html )